Phytochemical Characteristics, Free Radical Scavenging Activities, and Neuroprotection of Five Medicinal Plant Extracts

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine phytochemical characteristics, chemiluminescence antioxidant capacities, and neuroprotective effects on PC12 cells for methanol extracts ofSpatholobus suberectus, Uncaria rhynchophylla, Alpinia officinarum, Drynaria fortunei,andCrataegus pinnatifida. TheC. pinnatifidaextract (CPE) afforded the greatest yield and total phenolic content. TheS. suberectusextract (SSE) yielded the greatest total flavonoid content. TheU. rhynchophyllaextract (URE) produced the greatest total tannin content, and theA. officinarumextract (AOE) produced the greatest total triterpenoid content. TheD. fortuneiextract, assayed using horseradish peroxidase-luminol-hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and AOE using pyrogallol-luminol assay each exhibited better antioxidant activity than the L-ascorbic acid and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid did. The CPE, SSE, and URE presented neurogrowth effects and neuroprotective activities on H₂O₂-induced PC12 cell death at 0.5–5.0 μg/mL. The CPE represents a promising medicinal plant source for the treatment of H₂O₂-induced neurodegenerative disease, because of its useful phytochemical characteristics.